BSN 266 HESI
Med Surg Exam
(NGN-Style Presentation & Case Scenarios)
Actual Qs & Verified Ans to Pass the Exam
This Hesi test contains:
❖ Next Gen-style presentation of the questions with
expert rationales for a BSN-level Med-Surg exam.
❖ Each question includes Answer Choices, the Correct Answer, and a
detailed Expert Rationale explaining the reasoning process, suitable
for the 2025 HESI Med-Surg exam standard.
,### 1. The nurse is administering a saturated solution of potassium
iodide (SSKI). What is the best nursing action to ensure safe
administration?
Answer Choices:
A. Administer the solution undiluted via oral syringe.
B. Mix the solution with milk and administer with ice.
C. Dilute the solution with water, milk, or fruit juice and have the client
drink it with a straw.
D. Refrigerate the solution before administration to reduce taste.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
Potassium iodide solutions are very concentrated and have an unpleasant
taste, which may cause nausea and irritation of the mucosa. Dilution with
fluid like water, milk, or fruit juice improves palatability, and using a straw
limits mucosal exposure and staining of the teeth.
---
### 2. After a subtotal thyroidectomy, the nurse asks the client to
speak immediately after regaining consciousness. What complication
is the nurse assessing for?
Answer Choices:
,A. Hypocalcemia
B. Airway obstruction
C. Laryngeal nerve damage
D. Thyroid storm
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
The recurrent laryngeal nerve controls vocal cord movement. Damage
during surgery can cause hoarseness, voice changes, or airway compromise.
Early assessment of the client’s voice helps detect this complication
promptly.
---
### 3. Which equipment should the nurse keep at the bedside for the
first 48 hours after a subtotal thyroidectomy?
Answer Choices:
A. Suction apparatus
B. Oxygen delivery system
C. Tracheostomy tray
D. Emergency thyroid hormone
Correct Answer: C
, Expert Rationale:
Edema and hemorrhage after thyroid surgery can cause airway obstruction,
and the nurse must be prepared to perform or assist with an emergency
tracheotomy if necessary.
---
### 4. One day after subtotal thyroidectomy, the client reports
tingling in the fingers and toes. What is the nurse’s immediate action?
Answer Choices:
A. Administer IV calcium gluconate.
B. Notify the physician immediately.
C. Check the client’s respiratory rate and depth.
D. Provide a warm blanket for comfort.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale:
Tingling indicates possible hypocalcemia secondary to inadvertent
removal/damage of parathyroid glands. The physician must be notified
promptly for diagnostics and treatment.
---
Med Surg Exam
(NGN-Style Presentation & Case Scenarios)
Actual Qs & Verified Ans to Pass the Exam
This Hesi test contains:
❖ Next Gen-style presentation of the questions with
expert rationales for a BSN-level Med-Surg exam.
❖ Each question includes Answer Choices, the Correct Answer, and a
detailed Expert Rationale explaining the reasoning process, suitable
for the 2025 HESI Med-Surg exam standard.
,### 1. The nurse is administering a saturated solution of potassium
iodide (SSKI). What is the best nursing action to ensure safe
administration?
Answer Choices:
A. Administer the solution undiluted via oral syringe.
B. Mix the solution with milk and administer with ice.
C. Dilute the solution with water, milk, or fruit juice and have the client
drink it with a straw.
D. Refrigerate the solution before administration to reduce taste.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
Potassium iodide solutions are very concentrated and have an unpleasant
taste, which may cause nausea and irritation of the mucosa. Dilution with
fluid like water, milk, or fruit juice improves palatability, and using a straw
limits mucosal exposure and staining of the teeth.
---
### 2. After a subtotal thyroidectomy, the nurse asks the client to
speak immediately after regaining consciousness. What complication
is the nurse assessing for?
Answer Choices:
,A. Hypocalcemia
B. Airway obstruction
C. Laryngeal nerve damage
D. Thyroid storm
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
The recurrent laryngeal nerve controls vocal cord movement. Damage
during surgery can cause hoarseness, voice changes, or airway compromise.
Early assessment of the client’s voice helps detect this complication
promptly.
---
### 3. Which equipment should the nurse keep at the bedside for the
first 48 hours after a subtotal thyroidectomy?
Answer Choices:
A. Suction apparatus
B. Oxygen delivery system
C. Tracheostomy tray
D. Emergency thyroid hormone
Correct Answer: C
, Expert Rationale:
Edema and hemorrhage after thyroid surgery can cause airway obstruction,
and the nurse must be prepared to perform or assist with an emergency
tracheotomy if necessary.
---
### 4. One day after subtotal thyroidectomy, the client reports
tingling in the fingers and toes. What is the nurse’s immediate action?
Answer Choices:
A. Administer IV calcium gluconate.
B. Notify the physician immediately.
C. Check the client’s respiratory rate and depth.
D. Provide a warm blanket for comfort.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale:
Tingling indicates possible hypocalcemia secondary to inadvertent
removal/damage of parathyroid glands. The physician must be notified
promptly for diagnostics and treatment.
---
